Rule Changes:
• Introduction of the Bonus Zone – a five point try for tries scored in the in-goal area between the goal posts at each end. All tries scored outside the bonus zone will remain four pointers
• Introduction of 'GoldenTry' - where if teams are drawn at fulltime – in extra time the first team to score a try wins – with the 'Golden try'
• Goal-kicks will not feature in the tournament with dropkicks taken in line from where the try was scored worth two points. Penalty dropkicks will be worth two points with a field goal in general play remaining at one point.
• Scrums will consist of five players from each team and will only be used in the event of a double knock-on or a mutual infringement.
• In the event of a successful 40/20 kick, play will recommence with a tap re-start to the kicking team 20 metres in from where the ball crossed the touch line.
• Matches will be re-started by the scoring team through a drop kick off
• Referees will have the power to send players to the sin-bin for five minutes for foul play.

These are the key rule changes for the Auckland Nines tournament on 15th and 16th February 2014 referred to above by oikee

Great new for Rugby League fans. The NRL season is starting early! We have secured full coverage of the inaugural NRL Auckland Nines competition which runs over the weekend of Feb 15th and 16th. All 16 NRL teams will be represented and with prize money of over 2 million dollars the big guns will be out at a sold out Eden Park. Expect fireworks!